South Korean Shares Hit 3-Week High

2026-09-08 01:39 By Erika Ordonez 1 min. read

The benchmark KOSPI climbed more than 1% to around 7,095 on Tuesday, touching a three-week intraday high, as renewed optimism over AI-driven semiconductor demand lifted tech stocks.

Samsung Electronics and SK hynix rose more than 1% and 3%, respectively.

Expectations for stronger memory demand were reinforced by Samsung's 39.4% DRAM market share in Q2 and forecasts of critically tight supply as hyperscalers ramp up AI infrastructure spending.

Samsung's planned shareholder-return program also raised expectations for buybacks of its discounted preferred shares.

Other notable performers included SK Square (3.0%), Doosan Enerbility (3.3%), SK Inc. (1.2%), and Hanmi Semiconductor (4.8%).

Additionally, South Korea's August exports rose 68.7% year-on-year as semiconductor exports surged more than 200%, while Q2 GDP expanded 0.6% quarter-on-quarter.

However, escalating Middle East tensions pushed Brent crude higher, raising inflation concerns and the risk of tighter global monetary policy.



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South Korean Shares Hit 3-Week High
The benchmark KOSPI climbed more than 1% to around 7,095 on Tuesday, touching a three-week intraday high, as renewed optimism over AI-driven semiconductor demand lifted tech stocks. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix rose more than 1% and 3%, respectively. Expectations for stronger memory demand were reinforced by Samsung's 39.4% DRAM market share in Q2 and forecasts of critically tight supply as hyperscalers ramp up AI infrastructure spending. Samsung's planned shareholder-return program also raised expectations for buybacks of its discounted preferred shares. Other notable performers included SK Square (3.0%), Doosan Enerbility (3.3%), SK Inc. (1.2%), and Hanmi Semiconductor (4.8%). Additionally, South Korea's August exports rose 68.7% year-on-year as semiconductor exports surged more than 200%, while Q2 GDP expanded 0.6% quarter-on-quarter. However, escalating Middle East tensions pushed Brent crude higher, raising inflation concerns and the risk of tighter global monetary policy.
2026-09-08
South Korean Shares Rally to Over 1-Month High
The benchmark KOSPI climbed 4.61% to close at 6,995 on Monday, rallying to its highest level since July 23, as gains in semiconductor stocks lifted the index. The PHLX semiconductor index rose 3.38% on expectations that OpenAI’s new GPT-6 Astra model will boost demand for memory chips. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix advanced 5.28% and 7.77%, respectively, while SK Square (7.59%), Hyundai Motor (2.09%), Doosan Enerbility (10.98%), Shinhan Financial Group (3.17%), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (2.41%) also posted notable gains. At the same time, South Korea’s exports reached a record $709.4 billion so far this year, already surpassing the 2025 annual record, with semiconductor exports jumping 169.6% in January-August, reinforcing expectations for solid corporate earnings and economic growth. Meanwhile, heightened US-Iran tensions remained a risk, while stronger-than-expected US jobs data increased expectations for a September Fed rate hike and pushed Treasury yields higher.
2026-09-07
South Korean Shares Extend Gains
The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.64% to close at 6,687 on Friday, extending gains from the previous session, as easing expectations for another US rate hike lifted global risk sentiment. US stocks rallied overnight after Fed Governor Christopher Waller signaled a preference for holding rates steady unless inflation surprises, while the 10-year Treasury yield retreated to 4.77% after reaching its highest level since November 2023. Semiconductor shares also advanced, with Samsung Electronics and SK hynix climbing 2.20% and 3.01%, respectively. Samsung narrowed its HBM market-share gap with SK hynix in Q2, supporting the outlook for Korea’s key chip sector. Gains were also recorded in SK Square (5.71%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (3.71%), Samsung SDI (1.67%), and LG Electronics (1.15%). Meanwhile, renewed US plans for targeted semiconductor tariffs linked to companies’ domestic production could limit further gains, with details on rates and exemptions yet to be finalized.
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